Leak detection system

ABSTRACT

A hose leakage detection system includes a ring configured to be disposed within a hose. The ring has a lateral slot formed in an outer surface, defining a first slot wall and a second slot wall. A sensor is disposed on one of the first slot wall and the second slot wall and a power source is electrically connected to the leakage detection system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/020,105, filed on Sep. 6, 2013 and entitled Leak Detection System,now U.S. Pat. No. ______, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/981,590, filed on Dec. 30, 2010 and entitledLeak Detection System, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,385.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present application relates to the field of fluid lines and fluidline fittings. In particular, the present application relates to a leakdetection system for a fluid line.

BACKGROUND

Fluid lines are known to leak at various location. Leaks may be caused,for example, by ordinary wear, temperature fluctuations, weathering,corrosion from the fluid being transported, and other internal andexternal degenerative factors. In particular, fluid lines may be proneto leakage at a location where a hose meets a fitting.

Certain leak detection systems are known. One known leak detectionsystem includes a strain-sensing layer that detects strain in a hose.Another known leak detection system employs electrical leads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment a fluid line includes a conduit, a nipple receivedcoaxially within an end of the conduit, a socket disposed coaxiallyabout the conduit and the nipple, and a ring disposed coaxially aboutthe nipple. The ring has at least one slot formed therein, defining afirst slot wall and a second slot wall opposite the first slot wall. Thering further has a receiver disposed on at least one of the first andsecond slot walls.

In another embodiment, a hose leakage detection system includes a ringconfigured to be disposed within a hose. The ring has a lateral slotformed in an outer surface, defining a first slot wall and a second slotwall. A light receiver is disposed on one of the first slot wall and thesecond slot wall and a power source is electrically connected to theleakage detection system.

In yet another embodiment, a leak detection apparatus includes a ringhaving at least one lateral slot formed in an outer surface, each slotdefining a first slot wall and a second slot wall. The apparatus alsoincludes a light source and an optical fiber disposed within the ring ina circumferential direction. The optical fiber has a first end connectedto the light source and a second end disposed on one of the first andsecond slot walls of the at least one lateral slot, thereby transmittinglight across the at least one lateral slot. At least one optic fiberlight receiver is circuit disposed on one of the first and second slotwalls of the at least one lateral slot in a location opposite the secondend of the optical fiber such that it receives the light transmittedacross the at least one lateral slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, structures are illustrated that, togetherwith the detailed description provided below, describe exemplaryembodiments of the claimed invention. Like elements are identified withthe same reference numerals. It should be understood that elements shownas a single component may be replaced with multiple components, andelements shown as multiple components may be replaced with a singlecomponent. The drawings are not to scale and the proportion of certainelements may be exaggerated for the purpose of illustration.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary fluid line having a leakdetection system;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a ring in the leak detection system; and

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section of an alternative embodiment of a ringin the leak detection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary fluid line 100 having aleak detection system. The fluid line 100 includes a hose 105 and afitting 110. The fitting 110 includes a nipple 115 and a socket 120. Thenipple 115 is received coaxially within an end of the hose 110, and thesocket 120 is disposed coaxially about the hose 110 and the nipple 115.However, it should be understood that any fitting may be employed, suchas a compression fitting or a push to connect fitting. Likewise, theleak detection system may be employed on any conduit conveying fluid andis not limited to use with hoses or flexible tubing.

The leak detection system includes a ring 125 connected to electronics130. The ring 125 may be dimensioned for any size fluid line. In oneknown embodiment, the ring 125 has a diameter of between 0.25 inches(0.6 cm) and 5 inches (12.7 cm).

The ring 125 includes at least one slot 135 that defines a first slotwall 140 and a second slot wall 145 opposite the first wall. The widthof the slot is proportional to the size of the ring and can be varied toincrease the intensity of light received at the receiver end. In theillustrated embodiment, the slot 135 is disposed in the externalcircumferential surface of the ring 125 and extends in a lateraldirection. In other words, the slot 135 extends in a direction parallelto the direction of fluid flow in the hose 105. In an alternativeembodiment (not shown), the slot is disposed on an internalcircumferential surface of the ring. In another alternative embodiment(not shown), the slot may extend at an acute angle with respect to thelateral direction of the ring 125. Additionally, while the first slotwall 140 is shown as substantially parallel to the second slot wall 145,it should be understood that the slot walls may converge or diverge.Further, the slot walls may be curved or have one or more bends.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ring 125 is disposed about the nipple115 inside the hose 105. If there is an inadequate seal between thenipple 115 and hose 105, fluid may leak out of the fitting 110 byflowing along the external surface of the nipple 115. The ring 125 istherefore positioned in the path of any fluid that leaks between thenipple 115 and the hose 105. The external circumferential surface of thering 125 may form a seal with the hose 105, such that leaking fluidwould pass through the slot 135. A receiver 150 is disposed on one ofthe first and second slot walls 140, 145 that can be used to detect theleaking fluid that passes through the slot 135.

Alternatively, the ring may be disposed about the hose inside of thesocket. In such an embodiment, the ring is positioned in the path of anyfluid that leaks between the hose and the socket. The externalcircumferential surface of the ring may form a seal with the socket,such that leaking fluid would pass through the slot in the ring.

To increase the likelihood that leaking fluid passes through the slot135, a plurality of slots 135 may be disposed about the ring 125. FIG. 2illustrates a front view of the ring 125. In this embodiment, the ring125 includes five slots 135. In alternative embodiments (not shown), anynumber of slots may be employed.

The ring 125 may be an O-ring and have sealing properties. The ring 125may be constructed of metal or a polymeric material. Exemplaryconstruction materials include, without limitation,polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM)rubber, nitrile rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer such as HYTREL,stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium.

In one embodiment (as shown in FIG. 1), the ring 125 has a substantiallyflat profile. Alternatively, the ring may have a tapered or a concaveprofile. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates a partial cross-section of analternative embodiment of a ring 125′ having a curved taper 300. Inanother example (not shown), the ring may have a straight taper. Atapered ring may be positioned such that it tapers towards the end ofthe hose. Alternatively, the tapered ring may be positioned such that ittapers away from the end of the hose.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, the ring 125 includes one or moreoptical fibers 155 (i.e., one or more fiber optic cables) disposedtherein. The optical fiber 155 is connected to a light source 160, suchas a light emitting diode (LED), laser diode, infrared diode, or otherlight source. The optical fiber 155 may be directly connected to thelight source 160 or indirectly connected (e.g., through one or moreadditional optical fibers).

An end of the optical fiber 155 is disposed on one of the first andsecond slot walls 140, 145 such that light travels from the light source160, through the optical fiber 155 to one of the slot walls 140, 145.The light is then transmitted across the slot 135 to the opposite slotwall 140, 145. In the illustrated embodiment, the end of the opticalfiber 155 is disposed on the first slot wall 140 and the receiver 150 isdisposed on the second slot wall 145. In this embodiment, the receiver150 is an optic fiber light receiver 150. The-optic fiber light receiver150 is positioned such that it is ordinarily in the travel path of thelight transmitted by the end of the optical fiber 155.

If leaking fluid flows through the slot 135, it blocks the light beingtransmitted by the end of the optical fiber 155 and prevents some or allof the light from reaching the optic fiber light receiver 150. Whenlight is partially or fully blocked or deflected from reaching the opticfiber light receiver 150, a leak detection sensor 165 that is placed ina location outside the fluid conveying zone raises an alarm. Exemplarysensors include photodiodes, photovoltaic cells, photo resistors,infrared receivers and other light receptor circuits. The alarm may bean audio and/or visual alarm. The alarm may include a local indicator.The alarm may also be transmitted to a remote station, such as acomputer, a mobile phone, or other station. Such transmission may be awired transmission or a wireless transmission.

The leak detection system raises an alarm when the light received by theoptic fiber light receiver 150 falls below a selected threshold. Anappropriate threshold may be selected such that normal fluctuations inlight transmission would not cause an alarm to be raised. An algorithmmay also be employed to determine when the light pattern deviates fromits normal conditions. The algorithm may be embedded as a part of theleak detection sensor 165.

In the illustrated embodiment, the light source (also called the lighttransmitter) 160 and the leak detection sensor 165 are external to thefluid line 100. A power source 170 is also external to the fluid line.Together, the light transmitter 160, the leak detection sensor 165, andthe power source 170 are designated as electronics 130 in FIG. 1. Theelectronics 130 may also include logic, such as a microprocessor, adisplay for displaying an alarm, an audible alarm, and anothertransmitter for remotely transmitting an alarm. In one embodiment, theelectronics 130 may be mounted to one or more of the hose 105, thenipple 115, and the socket 120. In an alternative embodiment, theelectronics may be spaced apart from the fluid line 100. While theelectronics 130 are schematically designated by a box in FIG. 1, itshould be understood that the electronics 130 need not be contained in ahousing and different components may be in different locations.

Positioning the electronics 130 external to the fluid line will preventthe fluid being conveyed from damaging the electronics 130. Further, ifa combustible fluid is being conveyed, positioning the electronics 130externally would reduce the chance of a spark causing a combustion.However, there are also advantages to employing internal electronics,such as a smaller footprint, and limiting exposure of the electronics toexternal elements. Therefore, in an alternative embodiment (not shown),the electronics may be housed inside the fitting.

The power source 170 includes an optical driver circuit that drives thelight source 160. In one embodiment, the power source 170 also drivesthe leak detection sensor 165. Exemplary power sources includebatteries. In an alternative embodiment, the transmitter light source160 and the leak detection sensor 165 is not driven by the power source170. Instead, it uses energy harvesting devices that derive powerparasitically. An energy harvesting device is a parasitic power sourcethat may employ external disturbances, such as vibration, fluidpressure, flow velocity, fluid or ambient temperature, or electromagnetic radiation to generate power. Alternatively, the leak detectionsystem may not include a power source, but instead include an AC powerplug configured to draw power from an electrical outlet.

To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in thespecification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a mannersimilar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted whenemployed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extentthat the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “Aor B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B butnot both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed.Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not theexclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into”are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended toadditionally mean “on” or “onto.” Furthermore, to the extent the term“connect” is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to meannot only “directly connected to,” but also “indirectly connected to”such as connected through another component or components.

While the present application has been illustrated by the description ofembodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described inconsiderable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, the application, in its broaderaspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representativeapparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described.Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid line comprising: a conduit; a nipplereceived coaxially within an end of the conduit; a socket disposedcoaxially about the conduit and the nipple; and a ring disposedcoaxially about the nipple, the ring having at least one slot formedtherein, defining a first slot wall and a second slot wall opposite thefirst slot wall, the ring further having a receiver positioned in atleast one of the first slot wall or the second slot wall.
 2. The fluidline of claim 1, further comprising a power source.
 3. The fluid line ofclaim 2, wherein the power source is external to each of the conduit,the nipple, the socket, and the ring.
 4. The fluid line of claim 2,wherein the power source is an energy harvesting device.
 5. The fluidline of claim 1, wherein the ring has a plurality of slots formedtherein and each slot is associated with a receiver.
 6. The fluid lineof claim 1, wherein the ring includes a fiber optic cable having an enddisposed on the first slot wall and the receiver is an optic fiber lightreceiver positioned in the second slot wall.
 7. The fluid line of claim6, further comprising a sensor external to the fluid line and incommunication with the optic fiber light receiver.
 8. The fluid line ofclaim 1, wherein the ring has a profile with a concave surface.